A Tactical Look at the Time-Bending RPG Eternal Anima

In a recent hands-on preview, Game Informer explored the upcoming RPG Eternal Anima, developed by Marvelous Inc. and set for a March 4, 2027, release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game presents a world in its final act, centered on Urvis Ael, the last bastion of civilization in a world devastated by flooding.

Strategic Turn-Based Combat

Players take on the role of Wade, a protagonist who defies the societal norm of avoiding change. Wade possesses the power of Psychometry, allowing him to inherit abilities from the past, and Future Sight, a core combat mechanic. According to Game Informer, Future Sight provides players with total foresight into enemy intentions, displaying upcoming actions, target information, and outcomes on the UI. Combat focuses on tactical optimization rather than brute force; by targeting enemy weaknesses, players can knock opponents back on the battle timeline or trigger a ‘Break,’ which cancels enemy actions entirely. This system is described as making the player feel more like an orchestrator of events than a direct participant.

World Design and Visuals

Eternal Anima features a distinct aesthetic that Game Informer describes as a beautiful, bokeh-enhanced art style. While the world map resembles a series of closed-off dioramas, the reviewer noted a clash in visual direction, specifically citing disappointment that the characters are rendered as chibi figures, which they felt conflicted with the game’s painterly environments and serious thematic tone. During exploration, players engage with side activities like fishing and item collection, and use Psychometry to witness flashbacks, such as the story of an NPC named Fletcher, which can yield items from the past.

Why it matters

For players, Eternal Anima represents a shift in traditional turn-based design by turning combat into a predictive puzzle. By allowing players to see enemy moves before they happen, the game promises a experience where strategy and foresight are prioritized over random chance. This mechanics-heavy approach could offer a refreshing alternative for those looking for a cerebral challenge in their RPGs.

While the preview highlights the unique combat system, players should keep an eye on how the narrative of changing the past to influence the flooded present unfolds. The potential to alter history, combined with the game’s unique diorama-like world structure, suggests a narrative depth that will be fully realized when the game arrives in March.